Sbragia is determined to keep the club in the Premier League this season

Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia has admitted his side's league form must take priority ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Blackburn.

Sbragia's side lie 15th in the Premier League, two points off the drop zone and the Scotsman wants to address that position rather than chase silverware.

He told BBC Radio Newcastle: "In my view the league is more important.

"We'd like to qualify but we've got the Fulham game on Tuesday and need to climb up the league table."

Progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup came courtesy of a home win against Bolton, a club where the Sunderland boss worked alongside Sam Allardyce, ironically his opposite number on Saturday.

Sbragia was a loyal lieutenant to the now Blackburn manager, working with him for 17 months at the Reebok as his first-team coach, prior to Allardyce's move to Newcastle.

Since then the former player who lists Birmingham, Blackpool and Walsall among his former clubs has taken his own steps into management, and he has admitted there are many aspects of the role which he does not enjoy.

"It's a hard job, it's tougher than I thought and it's not the stress side, it's just being constantly wanted," he said.

"Even when I'm off, I was off on Monday, I didn't have time to do anything else apart from be on the phone.

"I don't know how some people get my number, I had 60 calls the other day and some of it was nonsense, but I have to answer it and deal with it.

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"I see the other side of agents, and I see the other side of clubs wanting our players and showing an interest in our players.

"I have no regrets, I know my job is on the chopping board and I know exactly what I have to do. We've got to stay in the Premier League."

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